DMA Young Spark Award goes to Jane Holmes

Refreshed Direct's Jane Holmes has beaten four other hopefuls to win the Direct Marketing Association's Young Spark new talent award.

Jane Holmes: wins DMA Young Spark Award
Jane Holmes: wins DMA Young Spark Award

Holmes beat four other shortlisted candidates, including Gemma Newton from Proximity London, Rob Cristie of Nationwide, Lesley Thornton of Post-switch.com and Teresa Speakman of WRM-Media.

Holmes, a data solutions manager, was handed the prize by outgoing DMA chairman David Metcalfe at the DMA Scottish Ball.

Holmes said: "Winning the DMA Young Spark Award is an amazing honour, and has made all the hard work and late nights worth it. Refreshed Direct launched 10 months ago with a mission to open direct marketing up to the wider market.

"The work that I have done on refresheddirect.com, which allows instant data access, efficient planning and budget setting, is something that I am immensely proud of."

Now in its sixth year, the Young Spark Award attracts entries from direct marketing industry's new and upcoming talent keen to make a name for themselves.

As well as taking on the title of Young Spark, the winner also benefits from the help of a top industry mentor who will provide invaluable advice and support for the entire year.

Scott Logie, incoming chairman and Young Spark judge, said: "Jane was the clear winner, with lots of personality and the sparkle we were looking for. Furthermore, she showed lots of passion for what she does, a real understanding of her industry sector and how she might move that forward in the next 12- to 24-months."

Young Spark was launched in Scotland in 2005 in memory of John Young, former WWAV Rapp Collins Edinburgh managing director, who died at the age of 38.